91Cal said:
6956bear said:
berserkeley said:
Maybe they're trying to find a way that would keep FSU and Clemson from trying to leave before 2030.
But ...
It's been, what, 8 or 9 days since we flipped two votes from "no" to "maybe"? And they still haven't cast a vote. And it's been how many days now that they've allegedly been debating how to split the money?
It sounds like we don't have 12 "yes" votes. It sounds like the ACC has to find a way to split the money that gets UNC and NCSU to vote yes without losing any of the current support and they haven't found a way to do that yet. Or that they have to find a way to split the money that makes all 15 happy because they only reason to vote to expand is to keep FSU and Clemson in the fold.
Seems clear they do not have 12 votes. I think that there may be other no votes. Miami could be a no. I just do not think you will get 12 votes if that requires giving extra money to Clemson and FSU upfront.
There is a reason that ESPN has supposedly begun to lobby Yormark to let Calford into the Big 12. What would be interesting is if Fox would kick in to make Calford equal to the 4 corner schools. My guess is no.
There have been many, many reports from "disparate" reporters that Calford are going to be admitted stating that the details of payment/distribution are being hammered out.
This will be the first conference setting up a performance fund/unbalanced payments so am guessing that these related nuances are the long pole in the tent. How much of the "donated" amount is set aside for the performance v. how much is distributed to the existing members. How much are the new teams eligible to receive. How much distributed to the existing members for travel costs and for what sports. How much additional $$ is there with the addition of the NorCal and Dallas markets.
The have the votes, but are looking to get to unanimous.
As many have written, does Fox and the big 18, but more importantly, Fox come back with a last minute offer for Calford similar to their last second offer for the Duskies.
FSU and Clemson want a larger piece of the tier 1 media rights. Like about $10M-$15M more each. They also are not for voting rights for Calford. Both schools but particularly FSU believe they are worth the extra guaranteed media money. They are not opposed in principle to performance related payments but they believe this new money from admitting Calford and SMU needs to go primarily to them.
This is a USC sort of situation. They believe they carry the conference's water and want to be compensated for that. They are making threats they will leave. The GOR is through 2036 but they likely leave before. Others will want to join them. But at present none have the appeal to warrant full shares from the B1G or SEC. They would in time but likely not day 1.
Sure there are other concerns like travel offsets. But tier 1 media money and voting rights are at the heart of this. If Calford comes with full voting rights and the revenue remains equally distributed I will be very surprised. The ACC lesser lights like (BC, Syracuse, GaTech) want Calford and SMU in for conference stability. The big boy programs like Clemson and FSU are fine with instability as they believe that favors them being able to dissolve the conference and exit without penalty or a much reduced negotiated penalty.
They may find the votes and I hope they do. But there is a reason this has not been finalized. There is not a lot of opposition over the schools. Just how and to whom the new money goes and can they vote on day 1. If they get an invite it likely is sold as unanimous but I would be very dubious of that statement.
Are the non blueblood programs like BC or Wake willing to give FSU the money in exchange for Calford full voting rights? And would good programs but non bluebloods like UNC or UVa vote to go along? I agree with the premise that how everything gets distributed is the holdup, but do not believe they have 12 votes.
Meanwhile there is some steam that the Big 12 may soon (already?) get involved. ESPN is trying to help Calford find a home.